James Bond producer doesn’t think the role will ever be played by a woman

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

A seemingly unending conversation in the world of movies is the one about who could play the next Bond, with tons of charming actors capable of a cool stare being thrown into the mix. As of the last few years, a large number of people have been vying for non-white actors to take on the role, with names like Idris Elba rightly at the top of the list. There are many who think the role should be given to a woman, a move that would likely cause social media to explode. But Bond producer Barbara Broccoli doesn’t think that will happen, and she believes the role is now, and likely will always be, one that will be played by men.

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Broccoli recently spoke to The Guardian about the matter, which comes on the heels of the premiere of the new season of DOCTOR WHO, which now stars Jodie Whittaker as the first female Time Lord ever. Broccoli doesn’t think that will happen with Bond but believes women should get their own, original roles in the superspy genre.

“Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”

Broccoli isn’t the first to say we should have more women leading their own, unique franchises as badass, world-saving spies. Rachel Weisz – an actress some believe could make a great female 007 – said in the past she would rather play a unique character than just a take on the mantle on Bond.

“[Ian Fleming] devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women. Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors? Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.”

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The recent run of Bond movies with Craig have certainly moved beyond Bond's past antics of wooing the typical "Bond girl." He's formed a deeper connection with characters like Vesper Lynd (Eva Green, CASINO ROYLE) and Dr. Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux, SPECTRE), and his connection with Judi Dench's M was the prime focus of SKYFALL. Brocolli believes these newer movies are an example of how Bond has changed since his early days of womanizing.

"Look at the way the world has changed. And I think Bond has come through and transformed with the times. I’ve tried to do my part, and I think particularly with the Daniel [Craig] films, they’ve become much more current in terms of the way women are viewed."

Director Cary Fukunaga has been hired to direct the latest movie, which is likely to be Craig's final outing.